ESPN Scout Matt Williamson Senior Bowl Chat Wrap - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 01-24-2008

Buzzmaster : (2:01 PM ET ) Alright everyone, we have Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson down here. He's been at practice all week so fire away with your questions!

Jeff (Michigan): Matt, where would you project Chad Henne to go?

BMatt Williamson : (2:03 PM ET ) He has helped himself. I think he projects as a very solid number 2, where he fills in for a bigger dog along the way. I think he could go as early as the early 3rd round.

K. Davis (nashville): Owen Schmitt is his injury serious? I haven't heard if he is gunna play or not.

Matt Williamson : (2:04 PM ET ) I do not know the specifics on the injury, but I would not expect him to play.

SprungOnSports (Long Island): What five players hav impressed you the most this week?

Matt Williamson : (2:06 PM ET ) Sedrick Ellis for sure is the best guy here. If he lasts till the Bengals pick they should be thrilled. Some other guys are Chirs Williams from Vandy, he looked good on the left side, Keith Rivers from USC is a very athletic LB with top 15 potential, and Andre Caldwell has been very dynamic and exceeded expectations.

Vitor (São Paulo, Brazil): Hey M-Dub! Is Flacco really lighting it up? Is he a good option for the Ravens or Bears in the 2nd round? Also, who do you think is the best option for the Ravens with the 8th pick? Thanks!

Matt Williamson : (2:08 PM ET ) Joe started the week poorly, and looked out of place on Monday, fumbling snaps and his accuracy was not good. But he has come aroud very quickly. He has got back onto form and has done a very good job. For the Ravens it migh be a bit early for hi in the second round. I need to watch more tape before I give you a final answer. As far as the 8th pick they either need to go with a QB or CB, and if they can fill those places out, they could be very good next year if they can stay healthy.

Jeff (JC,KS): Matt for NFL teams what is more important how these guys perform at the Sr Bowl or how they do at the combine

Matt Williamson : (2:10 PM ET ) I would say down here, because there is contact and you are going up agaisnt people. For the combine the mediacal and interview process is more expansive. It is a long gruelling week the combine, But the Sr. Bowl is more football, so I will go with the Senior Bowl.

Devon (OH): hey matt, How is Kirk Barton doing down there?

Matt Williamson : (2:11 PM ET ) He had a rough day yesterday. He is not a mauler that you want at guard and he is not nimble enough to playtackle. But he is a better gameday player than practice player, so this may not be his best forum to display his skills.

Nick (Cleveland): With safety being pretty weak this year how is Thomas DeCoud looking?

Matt Williamson : (2:12 PM ET ) It is a weak draft for safety. DeCoud has done a nice job, and so he has put himself in a good spot, moving up over marginal players.

Conor (Grosse Pointe): Who is the best quarterback there?

Matt Williamson : (2:14 PM ET ) Woodson is still the best prospect, but he has not had the best week. It looks like his slow release is even more exagerated down here. I am not sure if he has an injury, but he does not look like himself. After him I will give it to Flacco, although Henne has had a good week. But I think Flacco has more upside.

Nick (Boston): Hey Matt - did Matt Ryan make a mistake by not going to the Senior Bowl? Or will he be just fine come draft day.

Matt Williamson : (2:15 PM ET ) I do not think it will infleunce his status, since the draft is so far away. He'll be fine.

D (MI): What player do you feel helped their draft stock the most this week?

Matt Williamson : (2:17 PM ET ) Maybe Nicks the big O tackle from Nebraska. There is not a lot of film on him since he is a JC transfer. He is a big mauling guard who can move people and is atheltic enough to play tackle. He can come into the league as guard and then I can see him finding a home at right tackle.

Kenny (Raleigh, NC): Is DJ Hall one the best receivers there? where might he go?

Matt Williamson : (2:19 PM ET ) His stock has improved, but he has not been the best here. A lot of the best have gotten hurt such a Sweed and Doucet, and Lavelle Hawkins and Caldwell have done a really good job here, and I would put them above him. He is about a 4th round pick I would say.

Brad (Carlisle, PA): Matt, where's Dan Connor going to fall come draft day? I'd love to see him at Soldier Field next year for 8 games learning from the best (Urlacher)

Matt Williamson : (2:21 PM ET ) Connor is another guy who has helped himself but has not stood out. Rivers has overshdowed him a bit since he is the superiror athlete. My issue with Connor is that I do not think he is big or physical enough to be strictly a MLB. But when the lights come on this guy makes plays.

D (MI): Martin Rucker was on here earlier today and said he felt that he could be an in-line TE, my question to you is do believe that to be the case?

Matt Williamson : (2:22 PM ET ) I wrote an obsevartion on him and it was not positive. He has a noticable stiffness and does not bend his knees well. But there is a shortage of inline TE right now. He does have the size to do , and he will have his chances, but he needs to work at it.

JT (Richmond, KY): Matt, you said Woodson has not had a good week, has he hurt his draft status?

Matt Williamson : (2:23 PM ET ) Well it didnot help. It is hard to tell because this is only one step. And there may be something wrong with him that I do not know about. But I would be pretty weary giving him first round money based o n this week.

Justin (OKC): I've only heard negative reports on Dantrell Savage and Adarius Bowman. Have they done anything of note?

Matt Williamson : (2:26 PM ET ) Bowman's problem was the early drops. He had quite a few drops. He s also not very sudden or quick. But he has improved and had a nice practice hyesterday and redeemed himself. He could use his big strong frame to have a very good game. He was the best looking WR at the weight ins and has some things you cannot teach. His teammate has not impressed. He had some hard times with blitz pickups, and I do not think he has helped himself.

Jason (Fargo, ND): Jordy Nelson from K State, is just a returner or has he shown the skills to maybe be a 3rd receiver in the NFL?

Matt Williamson : (2:27 PM ET ) He is a legit WR prospect. He needs to learn to use that big frame, but a good coach will work on that with him. He has made some plays and has really helped himself. He is an interesting prospect. I could see him going in the third round.

Rich (Houston, TX): How has LSU's Jacob Hester looked this week? And when and where do you see him going?

Matt Williamson : (2:28 PM ET ) He will not shine in this environment, because he is not as explosive. But he is the type of guy you want on your team. Maybe he has not helped himself, but scouts know what he brings to the table. He looks like a Patriot to me. So a team that likes high character, who can do many things, will take him, probably somewhere in the 5th round.

Matt Williamson : (2:29 PM ET ) I am headed out of Mobile right now. Thanks for all your questions. And we will chat again soon.

Scott (Lansing): I just counted the Pro Bowl rosters: Pac 10 - 10, Big 12 - 9, SEC - 13, Big 10 - 11, ACC - 8, Big East - 8, and 21 come from non-BCS schools.

Jeff (Michigan): Thanks Matt.

Buzzmaster: (2:32 PM ET ) Thanks Matt. Have a safe trip!